Commission

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) today welcomed Billy Broussard of Pecan Island to the seat previously held by Earl King. Governor Bobby Jindal announced the appointment of Broussard in November, replacing Mr. King, who resigned due to health issues. Broussard, a coastal parish resident, will serve as a representative of the commercial fishing and fur industries, as required by statute. He owns and operates Pecan Island Redfish Charters.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission was created to protect, conserve and replenish the natural resources and wildlife of the state, including all aquatic life. The commission has the authority to establish definite management programs and policies and to approve and accept all contracts at its discretion. According to the statute, the commission is comprised of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to senate confirmation. Members include three residents of the coastal parishes of the state who are representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries and four members from the state at large.

The next regular Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Meeting will be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday, December 2, 2010, in the Louisiana Room at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA. The following items will be discussed:

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes of November 4, 2010

Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege

To receive and hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/November

To hear presentation on NAWCA Project Update on Russell Sage WMA

To consider Declaration of Emergency and Notice of Intent on Fisheries Closures due to Oil Spill

To consider Declaration of Emergency to Close Portions of State Outside Waters to Shrimping

To consider Declaration of Emergency to open the Primary Public Oyster Seed Grounds East of the Mississippi River and the Hackberry Bay Seed Reservation

To consider Notice of Intent on Oyster Lease Relocation for Leases Not Available for Renewal Due to those Leases Being Located Within a Public Oyster Seed Ground

The next regular Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2010, in the Louisiana Room at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.

The following items will be discussed:

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes of November 4, 2010

Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege

To receive and hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/November

To hear presentation on NAWCA Project Update on Russell Sage WMA

To consider Declaration of Emergency and Notice of Intent on Fisheries Closures due to Oil Spill

To consider Declaration of Emergency to open the Primary Public Oyster Seed Grounds East of the Mississippi River and the Hackberry Bay Seed Reservation

To consider Notice of Intent on Oyster Lease Relocation for Leases Not Available for Renewal Due to those Leases Being Located Within a Public Oyster Seed Ground

The next regular Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2010, in the Louisiana Room at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.

The following items will be discussed:

Roll Call

Approval of Minutes of October 7, 2010

Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege

To receive and hear Presentation of Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year Award

To receive and hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/October

To receive and Announce Winners of the Duck Stamp Competition

To receive and hear Presentation of Thistlethwaite WMA Lease by Landowners

To receive and hear Overview of Mississippi Alluvial Valley WMAs

To receive and consider Declaration of Emergency and Notice of Intent on Fisheries Closures due to Oil Spill

To receive and hear Request by Oyster Task Force to Discuss 2010 Oyster Season East of Mississippi River and Hackberry Bay

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a notice of intent today to amend the rules governing the wildlife rehabilitation program overseen by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

Some of the NOI proposed changes include:

a requirement that an applicant for a wildlife rehabilitator permit (WRP) complete an LDWF-approved training course and provide proof of same prior to licensure or renewal.

a requirement that a licensed veterinarian determine if animals are non-releasable and should be given an educational animal designation.

a requirement that licensed rehabilitators keep on file, in perpetuity, a document signed by the owner of the land on which the rehabilitated animals are released.

a requirement that licensed rehabilitators maintain a permanent record of each animal placed in their care.

Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission modified the existing rules for the commercial harvest of spotted seatrout to extend the harvest season. This action was taken in an effort to remain consistent with legislation passed in the 2010 Regular Louisiana Legislative Session, which modified the season for the commercial harvest of spotted seatrout using a commercial rod and reel.

The new rule states that the commercial season for the harvest of spotted seatrout shall remain open from the second day of January until the maximum annual quota, currently set at 1 million pounds, is reached, or on the date projected by the staff of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that the quota will be reached, or until sunset on Friday, December 31 of each year, whichever comes first. Over the last decade, spotted seatrout harvest averaged just under 20,000 pounds annually.

With today’s action, the commercial harvest of spotted sea trout is prohibited within Louisiana waters west of the Mermentau River.

Public comments on the Notice of Intent will be accepted prior to November 5, 2010. Comments should be submitted to Harry Blanchet, Fisheries Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000 , or via e-mail to: hblanchet@wlf.la.gov.

Today the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced the commercial season for the harvest of spotted seatrout will open on August 15, 2010. This fishery is set to remain open until the maximum annual quota is reached, or on the date projected by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that the quota will be reached, or until sunset on Friday December 31, 2010, whichever comes first.

Act 979 of the 2010 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session modified the season for the commercial harvest of spotted seatrout using a commercial rod and reel.

Also included in Act 979, and effective with the implementation of that act and these rules, the commercial taking or commercial harvesting of spotted sea trout shall be prohibited within Louisiana waters west of the Mermentau River.